A legacy project? A fun way to organize weeknight favorites? Knowing your purpose will guide the tone, design, and care you put into it. Gather the goods. Now comes the fun (and sometimes chaotic) part — tracking down recipes from relatives. Send a group text, email, or social media post asking for their go-to dishes. Encourage everyone to include personal stories, tips, or funny kitchen mishaps. That’s the good stuff that makes your cookbook meaningful. Choose an organizational style. You could go the traditional route with categories like appetizers, mains, and desserts, or get creative with sections like “Grandma’s Greatest Hits,” “Cousin Potluck Favorites,” or “Holiday Classics.” Just pick a format that feels natural and easy to follow. Test and tweak as you go. Some family recipes live in the land of vague directions — “a dash of this” or “cook until it smells right,” etc. If needed,
test the recipes and jot down more precise measurements or instructions. Trust me, your future self will thank you. Add a personal touch. Photos can take a cookbook from good to unforgettable. Include pictures of the dishes, handwritten recipe cards, or candid family cooking moments. Even simple design details — like using someone’s handwriting or a family saying — can make it feel special. Pick a format. You don’t need to be a professional designer to pull this off. Tools like Canva, Shutterfly, or even Microsoft Word can help you create a layout. Decide whether you want to print physical copies, go digital, or do both. Don’t forget to embrace imperfection. Remember, it doesn’t need to be perfect! A little mess here and there adds charm. What matters is preserving the joy, tradition, and flavor of your family’s kitchen.
CREATE A FAMILY COOKBOOK FULL OF LOVE AND FLAVOR A Taste of Home
In most families, holidays, special occasions, and Sunday dinners usually revolve around laughter and food — lots of food. Whether it’s Grandma’s famous biscuits or that secret chili recipe your uncle swears he’ll take to the grave, these dishes are part of what makes your family your family. So, why not gather all those delicious memories into one place by creating a family cookbook? Know your why. Before you dive in, decide what your cookbook is for. Is it a holiday gift?
A FRESH LOOK AT WHAT’S NEXT THE EMPTY NEST RESET
When your last child heads off to college, it hits differently. It’s not just the routines that change. As a parent, this moment opens up a chance to reevaluate more than just how many groceries you need. It’s a natural time to think about the future with fresh eyes. A good place to start is by revisiting your estate plan. All kinds of things can change in just a few years, and it’s easy for them to go unnoticed while you’re busy managing life at home. Maybe the people you listed as guardians or decision-makers no longer make sense. Maybe your finances look much different from what they did a few years ago. Even seemingly small things, like opening a new account or changing addresses, can impact your estate plan. For adult children who are out of the house but not yet married or completely on their own, you might want to talk to them about creating a basic set of documents. A health care directive and financial power of attorney can be extremely helpful during an emergency. They don’t take long to set up, but they can make a big difference if something unexpected happens while they’re away.
It’s also worth thinking about digital access. Many of us today have all sorts of digital accounts. You likely manage bills, subscriptions, and even cherished memories entirely
online. Without the right instructions in place, something as simple as logging into an account can become a major hurdle. Including these details in your plan is one of the easiest ways to make life less stressful for those you care about. Of course, you don’t need to overhaul everything. A check-in every few years is often enough to catch changes before they cause problems. Now that your nest is a little quieter, it might be the perfect time to think about your own plans. Whether that means traveling, downsizing, or getting better organized, your estate plan can support those goals, too. If it’s been a while since you’ve taken a close look at your documents, call us or reach out online to schedule a review. We can help update your plan so it fits the life you’re living now.
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ESTATE PLANNING | PROBATE | TRU
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